Hi guys.
As far as it’s impossible to me to find a vac-u-form machine in Cuba, i’ll try to build one, so any tips, plans, or any info that could be helpful, will be very thankful.
In case you want to send the info via e.mail, right now i’m using a new e.mail and is as follows: greycap_leader@yahoo.com. Because of conetion “problems” i’ll check the web and the mail, one time a week.
Thanks a lot.
Raudel.
I remember some years ago there was a model railroad magazine that had a very detailed article on building a vac former. I cannot find it maybe you will have better luck with it.
when I first decided to get a vac machine, I looked at all sorts of plans and schematics…then decided to buy one instead. After spending over a hundred dollars, I open up this box to see some: oak plywood box with holes, cheap aluminum frame, one pvc fitting…from that moment on, I’ve been making my own.
What size of plastic sheet do you need it to handle? Let me know, and I’m sure I can send you some drawings/plans.
greg
There’s a “How to” article in the March 1998 FSM p.76 by William J. Lenches jr.
Hey Mortar, Greg and Vartan,Thanks a lot guys.
Mortar; i’ll check with a friend if he can serch the net for that magazine, maybe he can get something.
Vartan; all few issues of FSM that i have, were sent by a friend from Canada, cause as unveliebable as it could sound, theres no way i can’t mannage a FSM suscription from Cuba, cause we are not permited to send money orders out fo the country; not by checks, credit cards or any other means; so thats why i’m not a FSM subscriber as i whish to be, cause it’s a hell of a publication. Think about not having any hobby shop in the country… rough ha!!!
So Vartan, it wouldn’t be posible for me to get that FSM issue. Thanks any way buddy.
Greg; as i told before, we don’t have any hobby shops here, so to have models, i depend on a friend that travel outside the country, i give him some cash i save and he brings me models, but it’ll be over soon. Also my friend Ross (from Canada) have helped me out sending few models but i still planning to start scratch building models in the near future, as soon as i assamble the five model i still have in stock. I also whant to restore couple of old models i managed from ex modellers, so i would vac fuselage, wings, tail surfaces, etc and will do it, in 1:48, 1/32, or who knows, in 1/24. I also would like to use a vac machine to do the canopy and other details for RC/ models scales. For instance a Spit9 (my favorite) in 1/5 scale.
So i think i’ll use for plastic models, 15 sq/in plastic sheets so i can vac several parts in one session. Once i build the first vac machine, maybe i can enlarge it for R/C model parts. ¿What do you think? That measure isn’t definitive. You guys have more expirience in the subject than i’m, so give it a shot.
I got a doubt: As i’ve told before i’ll create forms of the fuses, wings and tail sufeces, in order to vacuum form them ¿right?, but what obout the panel lines. With the vac sistem will not copy them (at least not to detailed as they must be), even if i scribe them on the surfaces of the forms. So i suppose that i’ll need to scribe them all, in the formed plastic parts. ¿Am i in the right path? If i’m ¿wich would be the best plastic thicknes to use, cause if it’s doesn’t have enough thicknes it could weaken the parts and final: ¿what kinda plastic is better for this pourpose?
Well, there ya go guys, i’m hungry of knowledge, so don’t hesitate in proposing solutions. Everything is more than welcome.
Best Regards.
Raudel.
You have basically out-lined all the problems associated with vacuum form. With the amount of vf work you are looking to do and the number of questions you have you may want to find out how to get your hands on a book on the subject. There are ways to over come the problems you have describe but I lack the expertise you need. Good Luck.
That goofy embargo… Anyway, here is a good basic article on vacuforming:
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/tech/jw_vac.htm
Andrew
Ceck Here . http://www.halloweenfear.com/vacuumformintro.html
How big do you want to go ? My unit is 18" x 18" and will pull 1/4" acrylic.
I have a book on how to build one Ill look tomorrow at work and get you the ISBN number I may have it in PDF format…I’ll check.
e-
Here is a book on building a heavy duty vacuum forming machine.
http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/vacf/index.html
Hope this helps.